Texas drought reveals 113-million-year-old dinosaur tracks

Paul Baker, the retail manager at Dinosaur Valley State Park, expressed astonishment at the sheer number of tracks discovered, stating to CNN:

"I've never seen this many dinosaur tracks before. It's exciting to see something that nobody else has seen; it's almost like a treasure hunt, in a way."

Most of these newly revealed tracks are believed to belong to an Acrocanthosaurus, a towering dinosaur standing at 15 feet and weighing nearly seven tons. 

Alongside these are tracks resembling those of a Sauropodseiden, often referred to as a Paluxysaurus, a giant that reached a towering 60 feet and weighed an astonishing 44 tons.

While the ongoing drought has presented this extraordinary opportunity to unearth these prehistoric relics, Baker cautioned that this rare sight won't last forever. 

"Once we receive a decent rain, most of the tracks will be covered up again," he explained.

Dinosaur Valley State Park, located an hour and a half south of Dallas, has long been a sanctuary for dinosaur enthusiasts and tourists. It houses numerous dinosaur tracks imprinted by sauropods and theropods that once roamed the region some 113 million years ago. 

Extreme weather in Texas

This area attracts visitors who come for fishing, swimming, and kayaking in the now-dry Paluxy River, which has lately experienced a significant drop in water levels.

The prolonged drought in Texas, which began in June, has expanded to engulf over a third of the state, according to the US Drought Monitor.

In the region where the newfound dinosaur tracks have been discovered, temperatures have soared to a scorching 128 degrees Fahrenheit at times, exacerbating the already arid conditions.

Having grown up there, Paul Baker, who has deep roots in Dinosaur Valley State Park, acknowledges the awe-inspiring aspect of unearthing dinosaur tracks. 

That said, he doesn't dismiss the ongoing drought and record-high temperatures, recognizing it as a "give-and-take" situation.

Reflecting on the vanished Paluxy River, he said, "It's neat to see the tracks like this, but I do miss the river. The Paluxy River is normally a beautiful, beautiful river."

The discovery of these dinosaur tracks amid the challenging climate conditions serves as a poignant reminder of the complex relationship between nature's wonders and the environmental challenges we face today. 

While we marvel at these ancient imprints, the ongoing drought underscores the importance of preserving our natural resources for future generations.